Dietary interventions for autism 
            While Aspect does not provide diet-related management of autism spectrum disorder, many families 
            and individuals ask us whether they should consider using a diet-based intervention and whether 
            this will help to improve the quality of life of a child or adult on the autism spectrum.  
            What are nutritional interventions? 
            Parents of children with autism, and adults on the autism spectrum, report using a variety of 
            nutritional interventions that aim to treat symptoms of autism by managing or altering the 
            individual’s diet and nutrition. These interventions include diets, such as the gluten and casein-free 
            diet (GFCF), the ketogenic diet and the yeast free diet; restriction of food allergens; and the use of 
            probiotics and dietary supplements, such as vitamins A, C, B6, folic acid, B12, minerals (e.g. 
            magnesium) and omega-3 fatty acids. 1 
            No conclusive research evidence 
            Over the past two decades, research on the effect of diet and nutrition on autism has been 
            increasing, with a focus on the role of food additives, refined sugar, food allergies, and fatty acid 
                      1
            metabolism.   
            However, there has been a lack of rigorous research studies in this field, and to date there is no 
            sound conclusive research evidence to support the efficacy of any nutritional interventions in 
            improving symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.1,2,3, 4, 
            In addition, for some interventions there are concerns side effects and a lack of rigorous evidence 
            concerning safety; for example, for those on a gluten and casein-free diet, there may be a risk of 
                                       
            decreased bone cortical thickness. 
             July 2017 
             
                      
                     Supporting your personal choice 
                     Without an evidence base, Aspect cannot recommend nutritional interventions as an effective way 
                     to improve any symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. However, many families and individuals may 
                     be aware of some of the positive anecdotal reports and may choose to use a nutritional intervention 
                     such as the CFCF diet. Aspect does support personal choice so, for these families and individuals, 
                     Aspect suggests any person on a nutritional intervention should do so under the guidance of a 
                     qualified health care professional, to make sure their nutrition uptake and possible side effects are 
                     well-considered and properly monitored. In addition, healthy nutritional habits should be 
                     encouraged in all children independently of the existence or non-existence of any 
                     neurodevelopmental condition. 
                     References 
                           1.   F Marti, L. (2014). Dietary Interventions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders-An Updated 
                                Review of the Research Evidence. Current clinical pharmacology, 9(4), 335-349. 
                           2.   Hurwitz, S. (2013). The gluten-free, casein-free diet and autism: Limited return on family 
                                investment. Journal of Early Intervention, 35(1), 3-19. 
                           3.   Hyman, S. L., Stewart, P. A., Foley, J., Cain, U., Peck, R., Morris, D. D., Wang, H., & Smith, T. (2016). The 
                                gluten-free/casein-free diet: A double-blind challenge trial in children with autism. Journal of Autism 
                                and Developmental Disorders, 46(1):205-220. 
                           4.   Marı´-Bauset, S., Zazpe, I., Mari-Sanchis, A., Llopis-Gonza´lez, A., & Morales-Sua´rez-Varela, M. (2014). 
                                Evidence of the gluten-free and casein-free diet in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. 
                                Journal of Child Neurology, 29(12): 1718-1727. 
                           5.   Sathe, N., Andrews, J. C., McPheeters, M. L., & Warren, Z. E. (2017). Nutritional and dietary 
                                interventions for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Pediatrics, e20170346. 
                     July 2017